Francis Street - Lorne.

Want to take on one of Victoria's hardest 'pinch climbs'? Francis Street in Lorne will take you well into the red zone. There's not many people that can boast getting up this one without walking.

Words and Images - Brendan Edwards

This is Victoria’s hardest climb.

With gradients that push close to 40% this is one scary climb. What makes it extra difficult is the fact the road is little over a car length wide so you don’t have much space to zig zag up. On the steepest section there are a couple of rough patches which make traction difficult... and this is near where the climb peaks to 40%.

There is a technical corner which is very difficult to negotiate around at the super slow speed that we will guarantee that you will be doing.

One purely for the hill junkies. We would not recommend to attempt this climb unless you are comfortable with climbing gradients around 20%.

If you’ve not ventured to Orange you are missing out. It’s a ridiculously good place to visit… eat, drink and enjoy the stunning Australian countryside…. and to take the bike, ride up some ripping hills at the Newcrest Orange Challenge on Sunday 31 March 2019.

Bicycle Network’s United Energy Around the Bay is one of the most well-known mass participation rides in Australia. It’s one of the events that many new cyclists really find their legs, and one where the more seasoned riders out there train hard to bring down their time and beat their personal best.